Because we are in the process of moving from Aurora to Peterborough Ontario I have been making slow progress on what I am now calling the "Electronic Throttle". You will recall from Update #5 my proposals to control the speed and power of the EVIC engine by valve timing.
I received a combination of encouraging and skeptical responses to my proposals. After reviewing all the responses I did some further test of my ideas with step changes to the valve timing. I was encouraged by the results. I then began the implementation of an 8 step "throttle". 8 steps looked like an easy number to implement and I think it will be enough to give a good demonstration at NAMES at the end of the month. Our move caught up with me and the engine is in Peterborough and about the only thing not packed up here is the computer!
Most of the software for the "Electronic Throttle" is written and I ran one test about 2 weeks ago. The intake valve open time was not correct so the "throttle" action was limited. A little more software work will correct this and then a few hours of tuning the system should have it ready in time for NAMES.
The current issue of Popular Science has a short article on a BMW engine development. BMW are making similar claims to those I suggested in update #5. Their approach is somewhat different because they still have a camshaft and therefore do not have complete control of the valve timing. So they vary the valve lift. If you think about it this must vary the opening and closing times. However the article doesn't state how much or in what direction. The article follows:
The movers come on Monday and the furniture is delivered in Peterborough on Tuesday. Then I have to get enough of the shop set up so that I can complete the "Electronic Throttle" work in the little time remaining. Whatever happens we will be at NAMES to demonstrate the EVIC engine. I will bring along a copy or two of my EVIC book if anyone would like to pick one up there.
I hope I will see many of you at NAMES.
Dave Bowes
EVIC home page